"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora PBS Whānau,
I was sorry to miss the School Picnic last Thursday, due to sickness, but from all accounts it sounded like it was a great get-together. Thank you to everyone who came along, including the sunshine!
Keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- Parent Education evening
- Movin’ March
- Read what our Senior Students told us about Artificial Intelligence
- Zespri AIMS Games – Register your Interest
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Tuesday, 17 & Wednesday, 18 March – Class photos & portraits (All years)
- Wednesday, 18 March – PTA AGM
- Term 1 finishes at 3pm on Thursday, 2 April
Ngā mihi nui
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
P.S. Got a suggestion? Let us know through our online suggestion box.
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
Waimania, Peyton, Jordan and Sihan – Rm 12
August, Naomi and Kaleb – Rm 26
Have You Checked Out Our Community Notices Directory?
Do you need to advertise your business, an upcoming event, need child care, or looking for a gift or new club to join? Check out the PBS Community Directory on our website https://kapiti.pbs.school.nz/
Parent Education Evening – What Would You Like to Learn More About?
Parents often ask us, “What do all the curriculum changes actually mean for my child?”
Over the past two years the Ministry of Education has been refreshing the New Zealand Curriculum. While curriculum documents for all learning areas (Arts, Science, Technology, Health/PE and others) are being rewritten, the English and Mathematics curriculum changes are the ones impacting schools most significantly right now. Changes to assessment and reporting are also taking place this year and will continue through to 2027.
With all this change happening, teachers are working hard to stay on top of what needs to be taught and how learning will be assessed. At the same time, we want to ensure that parents and whānau feel well informed and understand what these changes mean for their children.
To support this, I am planning a Parent Education Evening in Term 2. The aim of the evening would be to share information about the curriculum updates and give parents the opportunity to learn more about other aspects of learning and teaching at our school.
To help us plan the evening, we would really value your feedback. Please click on the survey link below and tell us what you would most like to learn more about as a parent.
Depending on the responses we receive, we may set the evening up so parents can visit a number of classrooms or information stands to talk with teachers and gather information about different topics.
Please take a minute to complete the survey and let us know what would be most helpful for you – click here
Using Māori Language at Home
Learning another language provides many benefits including greater academic achievement, greater cognitive development, and more positive attitudes towards other languages and cultures. So, let’s give it a go and help to revitalise this unique language to Aotearoa for our tamariki. Each week our newsletter will include words or phrases that you might like to try out at your kāinga/home.
Here are some essential kupu that you may hear ia ra (everyday)
Give these phrases a try this week:
Hei ākuanei – See you later
E pai ana au ki tēnā – That sounds good to me
Kua makariri haere – It’s getting colder
What Our Senior Students Told Us About Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Recently, I surveyed our Year 7 and 8 students to find out what they know about AI, whether they use it at home, and whether they think it is something schools should talk about. The results provided an interesting snapshot of their thoughts, understanding and current usage.
We received responses from 116 students, which showed that 72% are already using AI tools outside of school. The screenshot below shows some of the ways they are using AI.
Good Student awareness – One encouraging outcome from the survey was how aware our senior students already are of some of the risks associated with AI. Many talked about how important it is to learn how to tell what is real and what is not online. Students also mentioned concerns such as:
- AI sometimes giving incorrect information
- People using AI to cheat on school work
- Fake images or videos that look real
- Online safety risks such as scams or inappropriate content
Mixed views show deep reflection – Students were divided on whether they should learn about AI at school. Some felt it would be useful to understand how to use it responsibly and safely, while others worried that learning about it might encourage people to rely on it too much. Overall, I’m proud of these incredibly mature and thoughtful insights from PBS kids!
So, where to next? This feedback shows me that our students would benefit from guidance and clarity, after all 72% of Year 7-8 kids are already using AI without a shared and robust knowledge base.
From here, our goal would not be to encourage students to use AI tools, but to reconsider what we already teach about digital citizenship. Our teachers and I will need to decide what an informative approach might look like, focusing on helping students understand the risks, question what they see online, and navigate new technologies safely, responsibly and ethically. One thing is clear, our students need strong critical thinking skills to navigate a world where AI increasingly exists.
How parents can help at home
AI is developing quickly, and many families are encountering it for the first time. A few simple conversations can help children navigate it safely:
- Ask your child what AI tools they have seen or used.
- Remind them that AI can make mistakes, so information should always be checked.
- Encourage them not to share personal information with online tools.
- Talk about why their own thinking and learning matters.
Zespri AIMS Games 2026 – Register Your Interest!
The Zespri AIMS Games, a highly anticipated national sporting event, will take place from 5–11 September 2026 in Tauranga. This exciting competition offers a wide range of individual and team sports for Year 7–8 students.
If your child is interested in participating, please view the sports on offer via the following link: https://www.nzaimsgames.co.nz/
Please note that the school will not be responsible for organising this event. We will assist with administrative tasks, including registration, booking tickets for the Opening Ceremony, and sharing correspondence from the AIMS Games Team. However, families are responsible for all individual arrangements and associated costs.
As school camps take priority, all school-based fundraising initiatives must be approved. Camp fundraisers will be prioritised; however, we are happy to support external AIMS Games fundraising efforts by promoting them in our school newsletter, provided they do not conflict with ongoing camp fundraising.
To register your interest or if you have any questions, please contact Hillary Houston at hhouston@pbs.school.nz.
Moving March
Don’t forget students can walk, wheel or bus to school, and participate in class challenges. If your child usually travels by car, maybe you can drop them off a little further from school so that they can join in. Moving March will end with Fancy Feet and Wheels Day on Wednesday, 1 April. Start thinking about your costumes now!
Fun Run and Walk
A great way to get some more movement in for Moving March! Come join us at QE2 Park (Mackays Crossing entrance) Saturday, 14 March:
– no need to register; just turn up at 9.30am for a 10 am start
– choose your distance 2.5k, 5k, 7.5k or 10k
– donate your distance on the day to help us fundraise for dementia
– photo booth, drinks and treats
School Memories Photos
School Memories will be visiting our school on 17 & 18 March to take class and individual photos. You do not order/pay for your child’s portrait or class photo until AFTER PHOTODAY.
You will receive your order form AFTER photoday.
Family/sibling photo request forms have been sent home.
Year 6 & 7s Camp 2027 – Fundraising Reminders
Easter Raffle
Don’t forget that Easter raffle donations can be dropped off in Room 28 for treats, chocolate, soaps, smellies, toys, vouchers etc.
BBQ Fundraiser Thanks
A big thank you to our generous sponsors who sponsored our Touch Rugby BBQ fundraisers for Year 7/8 camp last week:
- Rebecca Noble – Property Brokers
- Paraparaumu Doors & Joinery
- M and M Butchers
PTA
PTA AGM
Join us for the PBS PTA Annual General Meeting on 18 March 2026 at 7:00pm in the school staffroom.
New members are always welcome—come along, meet the team, and see how you can be part of making a difference at PBS.
Support PBS PTA Toilet Paper Fundraiser!
The Entertainment Book - One Membership. Bigger Impact. Greater Returns. New Campaign Now Live
Big news has just landed, and this is one of the most exciting opportunities we’ve ever introduced for fundraisers.
We’re thrilled to launch the new Access All Areas Membership, designed to help our fundraiser raise more money, more easily, and with greater impact than ever before.
The new Membership delivers full Multi City value for just $75 for 12 months, giving supporters access to savings across dining, travel and everyday experiences throughout New Zealand, Australia and Bali.
From today until 31 March, Entertainment will gift match every Membership sold, meaning our fundraiser receives $30 for every Membership sold.
Plus, every Membership purchased this year also includes the chance to WIN an all-expenses-paid trip to Antarctica!
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Recent Student Achievements
U11 Kapiti Bears Flag Team: Congratulations to Kobe Thomson, Reef Coles, Kohen Cooper and Malakai Brown, who were part of the winning U11 Kapiti Bears Flag Team over the weekend.
Future Student Achievements
If your child has an achievement you would like us to share in our newsletter, then please send details (and a picture if you would like) to mbarfoote@pbs.school.nz
Join the PBS Team at the Waitārere Forest Run!
